President John Dramani Mahama has urged the citizenry to take advantage of the Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) policy as Ghana works towards achieving universal health coverage.
He said although the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has significantly improved access to health care, there remain pockets of underserved areas and sections of the population without adequate access to health services.
At the launch of the FPHC policy at Dodowa in the Shai Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region yesterday, President Mahama explained that the policy provides a major boost towards achieving universal health coverage.
The FPHC policy aims to ensure that every citizen and legal resident in Ghana has access to essential health care services at the primary level, regardless of their insurance status.
Services under the policy will be delivered at Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, health centres, and polyclinics across the country.
A major focus of the policy is prevention through regular health screening. The President urged traditional and religious leaders to help mobilise communities to ensure that every Ghanaian is screened at least once a year.
At the primary level, services including screening and treatment for basic illnesses such as malaria, cholera, and respiratory infections will be provided free of charge without requiring an NHIS card.
“These screenings will include checks for hypertension, blood sugar, and other conditions. Early detection will allow for lifestyle and dietary changes, while serious cases will be referred to district hospitals,” he added.
The President clarified that the policy was not intended to replace the NHIS but to complement it to ensure a holistic approach to health care delivery.
“Patients will only need identification such as the Ghana Card, while referrals to district and municipal hospitals will be covered under the NHIS for further treatment and medication,” he stated.
“For more advanced conditions such as kidney failure requiring dialysis, patients will be supported under an additional layer—the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as ‘Mahama Cares’—for specialised treatment.”
He said a strong education component would also be rolled out to address unhealthy lifestyles, including physical inactivity and late-night eating habits.
Implementation, according to the President, would involve health professionals supported by health volunteers, including national service personnel and trained but unemployed nurses and paramedics, who will be given priority for posting after service.
The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, said all was set for the rollout of the policy, adding that preparatory work had been completed for a smooth take-off.
He said funding for the policy would be sourced from the National Health Insurance Levy, noting that its uncapping had created the fiscal space for implementation.
The National House of Chiefs, in a solidarity message delivered by its Vice-President, Daasebre Awusi, expressed support for the policy, noting that it would promote the health and well-being of their subjects.
FROM JULIUS YAO PETETSI, DODOWA
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